The martial arts competition of the Nine Peaks, the twenty-third day.

In past years, each martial arts ceremony would never last more than a month. If it were before, the finals would probably already have begun by this point.

But the current year's number of disciples is so large, and the invited guest elders are so numerous, that tracing back a thousand years, few events could compare in scale. Even with the remnants of the Xuanyin Sect causing trouble, it didn't pose a significant impact, as Liu Tangxi executed Deacon Ma with lightning speed.

Many guest elders and disciples are still unaware of the outside invasion, and the pause in the martial arts ceremony was naturally explained by the Purple Cloud Palace as an enemy attempt to sabotage, but the culprits have now been vanquished.

Everyone expected this outcome, as the rivalry between the Purple Cloud Palace and the Xuanyin Sect is longstanding. Their battles have spanned a century, so disruptions at such a crucial juncture are normal. Since the situation is resolved and hasn't affected ordinary people, no one pays much mind.

However.

A somewhat unfamiliar old man walked steadily towards the highest row of the spectator seats, and all the Peak Masters, elders, and even the Sect Master on stage stood up instantly.

"Who is he?"

"Who might this be?"

"I don't know, never seen him before. Judging from his age, he should be one of the first-generation disciples of the Purple Cloud Palace, of the same generation as the Sect Master?"

"Could he be a sect elder?"

"What kind of elder could make the Sect Master stand up? Maybe an elder relative..."

"That's even more impossible. The Sect Master has been alive for over seven hundred years; what kind of monster could outrank him in seniority?"

"Can't you mind your words..."

For a moment, many disciples were stunned by this scene and started discussing fervently.

Not only the third-generation disciples but also many of the second-generation disciples watching were surprised, like Yu Ying standing over by the Heavenly Power Peak, with furrowed brows. She initially didn't know the origin of this person because their first meeting was in the Yuqing Hall.

She personally witnessed this old man pointing at the Sect Master's nose, scolding him harshly. The Great Elder, who usually wore a stern face, was utterly humiliated and didn't dare to utter a word. Although she never asked, she roughly understood this senior's background.

But some second-generation disciples remained clueless, or perhaps somewhat unaware.

They had no contact with this old man. Only the elders, Peak Masters, Sect Master, and a group of protectors of the same age as the first-generation disciples could interact with Zhang Shanyuan. Technically, they all belonged to the first-generation disciple category since Zhang Shanyuan faded from the public eye roughly two hundred years ago.

So it's perfectly normal that they had neither seen nor interacted with him. Even Gu Miyun, the Sect Master's grandson, was momentarily stunned when he saw this scene.

From childhood, he had never seen his grandfather display expressions of nervousness and submissiveness.

"Junior Master, why have you come?"

With a face full of wry smile.

Even the Sect Master directly stood up from his chair, signifying how significant this person's presence was. Normally, they would extend invitations to Junior Master to attend sect celebrations or watch the disciples' martial arts ceremony.

But this Junior Master made it very clear that he was already old, and even he couldn't guarantee what his fate would be in the future, so he hoped the sect wouldn't reveal his presence, to avoid tarnishing the sect's reputation should anything happen to him later.

But now...

"If you could show some promise, would this old man need to come over?"

He uttered these words with a flat expression.

On stage, everyone felt somewhat awkward and could only accompany it with sheepish smiles. However, Gu Yuanshan waved his hand broadly, making a welcoming gesture.

Not being polite at all, he sat down directly, then began speaking with self-assurance.

"Today this old man came to oversee the competition. I heard it's your grandson against Xiao Liuer's disciple, correct?"

"Yes."

Liu Tangxi took the initiative to reply.

Nodding slightly, the old man didn't continue speaking, only leaving a subtle sense of helplessness on Gu Yuanshan's face. He understood why Junior Master had come in person.

Not only out of curiosity about Jiang Feng but probably also to prevent further rifts between Swordmaster Peak and Dragon Head Peak.

The various disciples' reactions below the stage were diverse. Seeing today's martial arts ceremony being presided over by an elder never seen before, everyone couldn't help but discuss it, and most were curious about the elder's identity.

"Who is this?"

One of the protectors looked at the elder walking up to the stage.

Upon closer inspection, this person was precisely the protector named Yang, who previously assisted Jiang Feng in Country Liang.

Though possessing considerable cultivation, he was indeed a second-generation disciple, full of curiosity, almost eager, and even considering using his Divine Soul to explore the other's cultivation.

Now at the pinnacle of the Refining Void realm, as a young cultivator merely two hundred years old, his future could be described as bright. Only those ahead of him by an entire Great Realm were beyond his perceptive reach.

But just as the thought crossed his mind, without hesitation about whether to probe further, the next second.

Turning his head, meeting four eyes.

"Who is this? Xiao He, is this your lineage's?"

All his Spiritual Energy instantly dissipated!

With just one glance, he was suffused with an inexplicable, physiological fear that left him feeling a slight chill, his heart pounding, and his face turning pale.

Only at this moment did he realize how extraordinary the elder in front of him was, the fear he felt was visceral. Even though the elder across the distance looked calm, even smiled at him, showing the kindness typical of old seniors, Protector Yang's body remained tingling, not daring to make any rash moves.

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